The Dallas Cowboys have apparently decided to take a page out of Muhammad Ali’s book. Last week they used his “rope a dope” technique to completely shock and awe the NFL with their dominate win over the Los Angeles Rams and this week I think they preparing to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” against the Philadelphia Eagles.
After a three-game losing streak and some of the most dreadful play we’ve ever seen from the Dallas Cowboys, they suckered the Los Angeles Rams in and delivered a knockout blow. This is the “rope a dope” technique Muhammad Ali used so famously against George Foreman in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match. It worked for Ali then and worked for the Cowboys last week.
The Dallas Cowboys had all of Cowboys Nation, and the rest of the league for that matter fooled. They feigned fatigue and had us all convinced their season was circling the drain. It was a ploy that worked because it caught a very hot Rams team off guard and resulted in a huge victory for the Cowboys. Unfortunately, I don’t believe such a ploy will work two weeks in a row though.
For one, I don’t believe the Philadelphia Eagles would be so easily caught off guard. They are playing for their season as well and like the Cowboys, a playoff spot hangs in the balance. That’s why I believe America’s Team should turn to another page in Muhammad Ali’s book. It’s time for them to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.
In order for “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” to make any sense to you have to kind of break it down in two different phrases. To float like a butterfly means to use nimble footwork while attacking an opponent. The sting like a bee part means to deliver the deadly knockout punch. Combine the two and you get the strategy I think should work for the Dallas Cowboys this week.
The Cowboys laid down the blueprint last week and executed the game plan to perfection. It’s simple really. Play fundamentally sound defense and finish tackles, and hammer away with the running game on offense with “nimble footwork” of both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. The “knockout blow” will follow if everything is executed properly.
Sounds simple, right!? In all honesty, it is.
The Dallas Cowboys are the better and more talented team. They haven’t always played like it this season, but they can no longer afford to mess around any longer. This is a must win game and they have to treat it as such. Whether or not they “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” is up to them, but it did help Muhammad Ali become one of the all-time greats, so what’s the harm?
